Significant developments rocked the baseball sphere when it was announced that the Philadelphia Phillies had reached a significant agreement with star player Zack Wheeler, securing a three-year contract extension worth $126 million following his outstanding performance during the previous season. On Monday, Wheeler, accompanied by Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball operations, addressed the media to discuss the deal.
The newly compensated pitcher emphasized his desire not to continue pitching into his later years, considering his current age of 33, with his 34th birthday approaching in late May, as reported by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
Wheeler conveyed his enjoyment of pitching and his commitment to the team, expressing his love for competition. However, he also stressed the importance of family and his reluctance to prolong his career until he reaches advanced age. Despite this, he remains fully immersed in the present moment, cherishing every opportunity he has to step onto the mound. Wheeler expressed gratitude for his lengthy career, recognizing the rarity and privilege of such an experience.
Wheeler loves playing in Philadelphia, despite the immense pressure
During the previous season with the Phillies, Wheeler boasted a solid record of 13 wins and 6 losses, maintaining a 3.61 ERA and delivering an impressive 212 strikeouts. Reflecting on his performance since signing his initial contract with Philadelphia in 2019—a five-year deal worth $118 million—Wheeler has accumulated a record of 43 wins and 25 losses with a commendable 3.06 ERA across 101 starts. This ERA stands out as the best among pitchers during that period, surpassing notable names like Corbin Burnes, Max Scherzer, and Shane Bieber, as noted by Zolecki.
Wheeler expressed his fondness for high-pressure situations, relishing the atmosphere in Philadelphia. He particularly praised the passionate fanbase and the exhilaration of playing at Citizens Bank Park in October, emphasizing its unique allure.
Acknowledging the weight of expectations, especially in a demanding environment like Philadelphia, Wheeler admitted to the inherent challenges of playing in such a competitive atmosphere. He recognized the ups and downs that come with the territory, including the potential for criticism and booing from fans. However, Wheeler viewed these challenges as opportunities for growth and motivation, using them as fuel to improve and strive for consistency on the field. Despite the pressure to meet the expectations set by his contract, Wheeler remained focused on performing to the best of his abilities, trusting that dedication and hard work would ultimately lead to success.
Phillies Dombrowski with high praise for Wheeler
Dombrowski emphasized Wheeler’s standing as one of baseball’s premier pitchers, highlighting the historic nature of the contract extension, which sets a new record for the highest average annual value in MLB history at $42 million.
“We’ve firmly established that Zack is among the elite pitchers in the game,” Dombrowski stated. “Whether he’s ranked first, second, or third is beside the point. What matters is that he’s undeniably one of the best. Moreover, Zack has proven himself as a clutch performer, particularly in high-stakes postseason scenarios. When it comes to pivotal moments, there’s nobody I’d trust more to take the mound than Zack.”
With Wheeler now committed to the Phillies for the foreseeable future, the team has set its sights on championship glory. Following their defeat in the NLCS to the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, the Phillies are eager to return to the World Series. Their strong 90-72 record last season positioned them second in the NL East, trailing the Atlanta Braves and leading the Miami Marlins.
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